A new discovery in yesterday’s release of macOS 10.12.1 hints at the much anticipated OLED touch screen expected to be integrated into Apple’s upcoming MacBook Pro rumored to arrive at the company’s October 27 event this week.
Within resources for System Preferences (via MacRumors), updated assets in macOS 10.12.1 show a new virtual keyboard layout with the top row of the current keyboard design missing.
With the upcoming refreshed MacBook Pro’s expected to have the new OLED touch bar in place of the top row of function keys on the device’s keyboard, it makes sense that a new virtual keyboard layout for that device wouldn’t have those keys represented…
It’s still unclear exactly how Apple will implement the touch screen functionality, which is said to include contextually sensitive buttons of some kind based on the app in use. We previously reported Apple was also planning to possibly include Touch ID functionality in the new MacBook Pros, and earlier discoveries in macOS seemed to hint at possible integration into or near the new OLED touch bar. In addition to the new functionality with the OLED touch screen, Touch ID would open up possibilities for Apple Pay on the web, unlocking the Mac itself, and other apps without the need of an iPhone or Apple Watch for authentication.
In addition, the new MacBook Pros are said to be thinner and have a smaller footprint, a larger trackpad, and offer the usual upgraded internals including new AMD graphics and more.
The latest reports from supply chain sources this week backed up earlier reports that Apple will release a new 13-inch MacBook in addition to two MacBook Pro models at its event this week. The report also indicated new iMacs and 5K display in the pipeline for next year.
We previously rounded up everything you can expect at Apple’s event, which will also align nicely with the company’s launch of AirPods and the new Apple Watch Nike+ later this month.
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